A/N1: The soundtrack for this chapter is 'Alabaster Love' by David Hodges

Chapter 23

They made their way through the complex as silently as possible. Thankfully, they did not run into anyone, but Caius paused them when they got to the central courtyard. They would have to pass through it to get to where he was leading them, and the front gate was still open. He started to wave Elle and Yeul forward, but they all froze when they heard several sets of running footsteps. They ducked back into the hall and peeked around the corner to see a bloody Laer leading a group of six other warriors that didn't look to be in much better shape.

Elle felt her knees go weak at the sight of her best friend. He was still alive, if not unscathed. She started to rush forward, but Caius grabbed her arm and gave her a glare. She glared right back. She understood why he might be wary, but this was Laer. Plus, Mirus had already told her that his men had supposedly killed the man. She wrenched her arm from his grasp and ran out to catch the men's attention before they ran off again.

Laer's eyes widened when he caught sight of her, and she didn't even try to stop him when he rushed over and grabbed her in a tight hug. His voice was low and urgent when he finally released her enough to speak. "We were ambushed. Some of the men were killed, but we managed to fight them off. We learned from one captive that there were troops headed for the city and the plans to kill the Seeress. I sent every man I came across to hold them back before I came here."

At that point, Yeul stepped around Caius to join Elle. The Guardian still wore a frown, but he had heard enough to warrant more details. When Laer saw the two of them, he dropped Elle's arms and turned to salute the Seeress. "I am glad to see you safe."

He then took in Elle's bloody side and neck as well as Caius' many wounds that he received fighting Ingens that were still not healed. Laer frowned as he looked to Caius. "What happened? Where is Ingens? Why is he not with Elle?"

Yeul made a distressed noise that she tried to smother, and both Caius and Elle grimaced. Though Caius' voice was calm when he answered. "Both Ingens and Mirus are dead. Killed by the men that are invading. We need to get the Seeress to safety."

Laer cursed under his breath, but he nodded. He then turned to the men that had come with him. "One of you go up to the fields and gather as many men as you can. The rest go through the city and rouse the guard. Take them all out and fortify the passes. We cannot let the enemy slip into the city."

They all saluted before they turned to run and finish his instructions. Caius gave him a hard look, but he ignored it again as he spoke to the Guardian. "Where are we going? What will we need to do to fortify it?"

Caius sighed before he grabbed Yeul's arm again. "Follow and keep your eyes open. They have already had troops here, so there is no guarantee the complex is safe."

That was the last thing spoken as they rushed down the halls of the residential area. Most of the rooms were still closed and silent, dotted only by the occasional crying woman that had managed to make her way away from the front and the slaughter that had occurred.

They did not stop until they reached the tiny courtyard at the end of that wing. It was only open to the hall and was butted against the side of the plateau. That left the only opening the one they just came through, or by air. Even two of the walls were solid stone. Caius turned to Yeul at that point and gently sat her on the edge of the fountain. He knelt and looked into her eyes. "You will be safe here, I give you my word."

It was several seconds before the girl shocked them all by throwing her arms around his neck and crying for the first time since Elle had known her. Caius did not hesitate to cradle her to himself gently while she let go of the fear and tension she had been trying to hide.

It was several minutes later that she finally sat back with a sniffle. She wiped her eyes and pulled her dignity back in. She was human and not immune to her fear, but she was also the Seeress. She had a duty that could not be avoided. She looked up to Caius with troubled eyes when he stood. Her voice was low when she spoke. "Guardian, it is you that must lead our people to safety. You must stop this invasion."

Caius had already considered the request before it was even made. As Guardian, he was technically the leader of their armed forces, but he was also the one that was supposed to keep the Seeress safe. During his silence, Yeul looked to Elle. The woman was frowning, but she finally nodded back to the Seeress. This had to happen, no matter how much she hated it.

At that gesture, Yeul looked back up once again. "Do not fear for me. You have a temporary stand-in that will not let harm come to me."

It was telling when Caius' eyes flicked to Elle at that point instead of Laer, though they did look to him as well. Elle knew he was worried about the girl, so she stepped forward and lifted the blade in her hands. "Nothing will touch her as long as I still breathe. I promise."

Caius looked back at the door and then up. Elle smirked at his obvious assessment of the situation. "Don't worry about me. We've got this. I even have the sky covered. We'll be waiting here for your return."

He finally nodded as he knelt once more and bowed his head to the Seeress. "You have my word, on my honor, that I will protect Paddra. No more of her people shall suffer."

Yeul placed her tiny hand on his head for just a moment before he stood. He only paused for a moment in front of Elle. "You would make a good guardian."

Her eyes widened slightly at the look he was giving her, but more so at the compliment he paid her. To him, that was the highest form of praise to be offered. She let her eyes show him she knew it, but still shook her head as she answered. "Maybe, but I won't ever fight you for the right."

A moment of silence passed between them before he smirked and turned to leave. Before he had gone more than a few steps, Elle called out once again. "Wait!"

He turned back with a frown. "I cannot delay. Our men are more than likely already outnumbered. We must make a unified charge, or Paddra could fall."

Elle waved off his irritation. "I know, but you have to promise not to merge with your eidolon. Do not sacrifice yourself during this fight!"

Caius took a step back toward her and frowned. "That is not something that I would normally consider, but I will do whatever is necessary to win. I refuse to allow harm to come to anyone within this city."

Elle gritted her teeth at his obstinance, and he looked like he was going to turn and leave anyway. She practically shouted at him as he started to turn away. "Don't you dare ignore me. I am not asking this of you as a woman. This has nothing to do with my desires. I am telling you this as the Emissary of the Goddess Etro. Do not merge with Bahamut!"

Everyone in the room froze at her raised voice. She didn't even notice the look Laer was giving her, nor did she see the sadness in Yeul's eyes. Her gaze was focused on Caius as he walked back to her. He reached out a hand but clenched it to his side as he spoke. "You knew this was coming."

Elle sighed and nodded. "Not when or why, but yes. I knew this was coming."

His eyes roved over her face for several seconds before his eyes narrowed with confusion as he spoke again. "You also knew I would take the Ballad name. That was why you reacted that way to them both when you first met them. Not because you recognized them, but because you recognized me with their name."

Elle wanted to look away from his piercing gaze but did not as she nodded again. His jaw clenched as he took in her words. "What else have you been hiding? What do I need to know?"

She shook her head at the pain in his eyes. "All you need to know is that if you merge with Bahamut, even if you win, disaster will follow. Do not do it."

He finally sighed. "This is why you are here, isn't it? Not to stop the fall of the city, but to stop me."

She held his gaze as she nodded again. "I have faith that you will win, even without doing so. You have more warning now, and your troops are already in position. Do not fail."

He sighed as he took in her squared shoulders and set jaw. He almost smiled at the sight she made before he took a step back and saluted her as well. "On my honor, I will protect Paddra without merging with Bahamut. I will not fail."

He didn't wait for any further response before he turned on his heel to walk out. He paused once more as he was in the doorway. Elle gave him a worried look when he pulled out his dagger. She watched as he brought it up to his head and made a quick slicing motion. She wasn't sure what he had done until he turned back and strode to her.

He then grabbed her hand and pressed something into her palm. He stood there like that and looked intently into her eyes for several seconds before he spoke. "In my stead, you will be the sword and shield for the Seeress. You cannot fail either."

When he stepped back, Elle saluted him the way he had Yeul. "On my honor."

He gave her one last look before he turned to leave. It wasn't until he was gone that she finally looked down to see he had given her a lock of his hair. Specifically, the one that was tied with the feathers that marked his station. She swallowed once as she realized why he might have given her such a memento. He didn't think he would make it back. It was a possibility, too, especially since he promised he would not merge with his eidolon.

She looked at the door with a pang in her heart that threatened to steal her breath at what his gesture meant. Still, there was no greater gift she could give to him then to make sure the Seeress was protected. With that thought, she swallowed her pain and regret that she hadn't said anything before he left and then turned to face Yeul. She gave the girl a salute as well. "We'll make sure nothing comes in."

Yeul gave her an understanding look and a nod. "I trust that you will keep me safe." That was all Elle could handle before she turned away and placed herself closer to the door. Nothing would get passed her.

For the next thirty minutes, Elle paced in front of the door and continued to try and cast low-level spells. She tried to ignore the way her heart was throbbing with an ever-growing ache as she would turn and catch either Laer's or Yeul's eye. She was just grateful that neither of them said anything, even if there was a lot she could read in her friend's eyes.

He must have finally gotten tired of seeing her walking back and forth, and decided to approach her. Before he could say anything, Elle held up a hand. "Please don't. Not right now. I don't think I can handle more than guard duty."

He sighed and shook his head. "I was going to suggest that you let me take the hallway. I can't stand here and watch you without the need to pace too."

Elle stared at him in shock for a second before she let go of an involuntary chuckle. She finally shook her head. "Sorry, yeah, that sounds like a plan. I can almost feel my magic returned enough that I can summon Bahamut. As soon as I have him out, I'll set him to patrol over the compound. That should be enough to keep anyone not already here away."

Laer nodded and gave her a wry smile. "Yeah, foe and ally alike."

Elle's eyes hardened slightly. "That's the idea. Right now, it would be better to be safe. We can figure out anything else when Caius returns. As far as I'm concerned, you and he are the only ones I would be willing to even let in this end of the building."

Laer gave her a confused look, but when all she gave him back was a determined glare, he nodded. "He made it clear enough that you're the one in charge. You tell me to jump, and I'll ask how high."

Elle's irritation fled under his smirk. She rolled her eyes as she gestured to the door. "Don't go far. I need you close enough to hear if I call for help. Oh, and stay inside. I don't want Bahamut to get overzealous."

He saluted and gave her a grin. "Trust me, I don't want to get on her bad side either."

"His!" Elle's voice came out harder than she intended it to, but Laer just gave her a wink.

"Uh-huh, you keep telling yourself that."

She wasn't even given a chance to respond before he ducked out the door. It wasn't until he was gone that she realized he had probably done all that on purpose to help her calm down. She smiled at the empty doorway before she turned and summoned forth her eidolith.

Over the next several hours, Laer would check in occasionally, but there was no response from Bahamut. She hadn't been able to keep her eidolon summoned for the whole time, instead, calling her out periodically to check the area. Thankfully Laer had gone to retrieve some supplies before night had fallen. She was grateful when he brought back a few ethers as well as blankets for Yeul and food.

Elle was too worried to eat, but she did knock back an ether and summoned Bahamut once again. With what he had brought, she hoped to be able to keep her out until the warriors returned.

As the night wore on, so did Elle's nerves. No one had penetrated to where they were, but she knew several had tried. She wasn't sure if it was to check on the Seeress or for any other nefarious purpose, but it only took a few well-placed fireballs for Bahamut to send them all running. Elle couldn't see through her eidolon's eyes, so she didn't know who it had been, but she did get a sense whenever anyone tried to enter. At least Yeul was safely asleep on a pallet in the far corner.

It was near dawn when Elle was shocked from her anxious thoughts by a roar from her eidolon. It was quickly followed by a wave of pain that didn't make sense at first. It wasn't until she realized that it had come down her connection to her partner that she realized what it was. Bahamut had not been attacked, but she was in pain nonetheless. There was only one reason Elle could think of for the continued wails.

Despite her resolve to be strong, tears still found their way down her cheeks. Laer had come running at the first roar but froze with shocked eyes when he caught sight of Elle's tears. He had never seen her cry, not once.

Yeul had also been awakened, and it did not take the girl long to understand what had happened. She rushed to where Elle was standing and wrapped her in a hug. It was only then that the woman realized she was not the only one mourning. Yeul's tears were silent this time, but still there. She gathered the girl close and watched the sky as her dragon circled the skies above them with keening wails.

It was only a short time afterward that Elle finally dismissed Bahamut. There were only two options now, and she knew it. She could face the oncoming horde with magic reserves full, or she would meet the returning warriors with her head held high and dry eyes, no matter the news they brought with them.

It was nearly two hours later that one of the women came running into the far end of the hall. She froze at the sight of Laer with his blade drawn, but she bowed and called out. "The warriors have returned and speak of success in driving the enemy back. They only wish to know that the Seeress is safe."

Laer turned back to look at Elle, who, in turn, looked at Yeul. The young Seeress squared her shoulders and gave Elle a nod. "We will go to them. I trust that no matter what is waiting, you will keep me safe."

Elle's only response was to nod in return before she led the young woman out and down the hall. When they drew even with Laer, she gave him a sharp look. "Take up the rear. I don't want any surprises." He saluted before he fell into step behind Yeul.

It did not take them long to make it to the central courtyard. Elle was grateful to see that the bodies from the day before had been cleaned up, at least, even if there was still blood everywhere.

As soon as the trio walked into the courtyard, every warrior there turned as one and saluted. Yeul stepped forward and bowed her head to them in acknowledgment, but they didn't move right away. It wasn't until Elle realized they were saluting her as well that she stepped forward with shock and joined the Seeress.

Once they were side by side, Tewn stepped forward with a frown. His eyes flicked to Elle, but he could not hold her gaze. Instead, he turned to face Yeul. "Seeress, we were able to successfully drive back the invaders. We did suffer heavy losses due to the surprise attack, but the quick retrieval of our other forces and the presence of the Guardian helped to turn the tide. All others will think twice before they decide to come to our city with the will to conquer."

Yeul gave him a nod in acknowledgment before her head tilted. Her voice was deceptively calm when she spoke. "And what of the Guardian? Why is he not the one to tell me this?"

Tewn once again flicked his eyes to Elle but turned before she could see what he was hiding. Not that she needed to. When he turned back to the rest of the group that filled the courtyard, they all parted, and Elle had to fight to keep her knees locked. There on the far end was not her lover's body, but his statue. She was filled with both uncontrollable grief and relief at the same time. It was so strong that she wasn't sure how to handle it.

She felt Yeul take her hand, but otherwise was hardly aware as the two of them made their way across to look up at the translucent stone. It was stunning in the dawn light and almost looked alive. Elle reached out a hand to touch it but pulled it back before she could make contact. She wasn't ready to face that confirmation yet. Not yet.

Her attention was drawn back to the warriors when Tewn stepped forward with a frown. "Emissary, I was given a message to pass on before he turned to crystal. We had won, and he must have known what would happen."

The young warrior paused and looked away for a moment before he was able to continue. "He said to tell you thank you for everything, and that he was sorry, but that he had kept his promise."

Elle felt Yeul clutch her hand tighter as she felt her heart rip as much as it had on the day she thought he had rejected her. Though now it was for a different reason. Somehow, she managed to keep her mask on long enough to nod to the younger man. "Thank you for telling me."

Tewn looked away from her dry eyes uncomfortably, but he turned back quickly. His gaze was determined as he took a step forward. "He told us that he left you to guard the Seeress. That means that as far as everyone is concerned, you are the new Guardian. I, for one, would be glad to follow you in the protection of Paddra. No matter how things came down, you have proven your loyalty over again."

That was all he said before he stood at attention and saluted her once more. Elle looked around to the rest. It was as if a wave passed over the gathered warriors, and they all turned to salute her as well. She had no idea how to respond, and she wasn't given a chance to figure it out. Yeul had stepped away from her, and all eyes turned to the Seeress once more.

The girl gave Elle a sad look before she turned and addressed the gathered men. "I am glad that you have all made it back, and that Paddra is once again safe, though I am saddened to hear of our losses. And while I do not object to the choice of my new Guardian, that will not be possible."

There was a confused murmur that raced through the men as Yeul turned back to Elle. Her eyes were still sad as she returned to the woman's side. Her words were for Elle specifically, though they were pitched so all could hear. "It has been my honor to know you. You have done so much more than what you were brought here for, but your job here is done."

Elle gave her a confused look. It only lasted until the girl raised her arm and pointed to the other side of the fountain. The spot where the secret entrance lay, and where there was now a glowing golden gate.

A/N2: As I am sure you can tell, this is eating up my mind. I have two more chapters and perhaps an epilogue. It will depend on how the last chapter goes. So, more than what I thought, be we should be getting the best part by Friday. I hope you are all looking forward to it as much as me! Thanks for reading.